Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
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List Price: $399.99
Features
• Digital Palmcorder MultiCam camcorder and digital still camera with 680,000-pixel CCD
• 20x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 800x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and black-and-white viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings and built-in LED color enhancement light
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes |
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Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom description
Blending innovative technologies with new, simple-to-operate controls, Panasonic's PV-GS12 camcorder is an affordable entry into digital video with powerful features. Panasonic continues to innovate, adding more optical zoom capability while reducing the overall size. This MiniDV camcorder features a 20x optical zoom, ultra-fast 1.3-second start-up time, SD memory card slot for digital stills, and webcam capability. Optics
The PV-GS12 is equipped with a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD and 20x optical zoom It also features a 800x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups. Digital Stills
In addition to shooting video, the PV-GS12 can also capture digital still images up to 640 x 480 pixels--good for sending photos to friends and family over e-mail or posting to your Web site. They are stored to the Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card slot. The Direct Mode Dial can be used in digital still mode lets you quickly select the desired digital camera mode, such as Record, Playback, Card Record, or Card Playback. More Features
The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorder's body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured. The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS12 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpectedÊmoments wonÕt be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered. The Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend. Other features include: - The image-enhancing MagicPix feature allows for rich videos under low-light conditions.
- Digital Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) helps take the jitter out of hand-held video recording and compensate for unintentional hand and camcorder movement.
- Web cam capability, which is ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or use as a simple monitoring device when consumers are away from home.
- The unsnapping hand strap doubles as wrist loops, enabling you to carry the camcorder like a small bag or purse.
- Black and white viewfinder
Inputs and Outputs
The PV-GS12 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire; Panasonic refers to this connection as iLink) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. |
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Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥ |
6 Years Using Palmcorder
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After using the Palmcorder brand for 6 years, I just purchased a second one to use for a 2-camera setup (both running at different angles since I produce martial arts instructional videos). For those new to digital camcorders, my opinion is that this is a great camera. For those who are intermediate and advanced, naturally you already know that you will want to spend a bit more for a bigger, better camera to meet your needs.
The Palmcorder takes good video but you should have additional lighting available. They say it's good in low-light conditions, but admittedly I've never found that to be true, even with a LOT of experimentation. Outdoors, though, or indoors with normal lighting? You will find a good video result.
The audio is passable but connecting an external mic, you will hear a slight "buzz" in the background (removable in post). A pain but still passable for the price.
Zooming in and out finds zero noise, but I rarely zoom much anyway. If I need a closer shot, I get the camera closer since the pixelation is always noticable to some degree when zooming. It's not "too" bad zooming in just a bit, but beyond 1/3 of the bar you see will find a lot of pixelation.
Tape change is great vs. Canon (Canon tape door is at the bottom and you have to remove it from the tripod, whereas Panasonic and most others are on the side). Battery life is 1 - 2 hours depending on the age of the battery. My first one is over 6 years old and I just had to change it last month. 5 years isn't bad.
Manual controls could be improved but passable. Automatic controls work well for new users and you will probably not even need the rest. If you want to learn it, though, it's a simple process.
For best shots, I recommend a good tripod to keep the camera steady (for all cameras, too), particularly if you zoom in. There are lots of techniques for holding the camera steady when zoomed in but the Palmcorder must lose it's mind after zoomed in too far. It comes out with a lot of pixelation. Read that as "don't zoom in unless you absolutely have to and you'll be fine."
I've used my Palmcorder in all sorts of weather and conditions, and it's worked like a dream. Good video, good audio, good battery life and easy controls. The only "bad" thing you might encounter is that in humid weather, you need to acclimate the camera for 15 - 30 minutes or so. But since you have to do that with every camera, anyway, it's not Panasonic's fault so no biggie there.
All in all? This is a great camera for the price, as well as being a solid piece of equipment that you will enjoy. It's good to learn with as well as being a good backup camera or using as a 2-camera system. |
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Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom digital cameras, camcorders for sale